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Best hotels in Riga

How to Find the Best Riga Hotels with Hotels.com

The capital of Latvia, Riga is an evocative and attractive city with a rich history and stylish neighborhoods. An atmospheric old town with its imposing cathedral and warren of cobbled streets is the tourist hub, but Riga also features some impressive 1920s apartment blocks. Museums trace the troubled history of Latvia and Riga, but this is a city that has boomed since independence in 1991. The evidence can be seen in the variety of stylish restaurants, artisan delis and chic boutiques. Hotels.com has partnered with a variety of great Riga hotels to offer visitors the best value choice of rooms regardless of their needs and budget. Booking Riga accommodation in advance at Hotels.com ensures a stress-free visit to this elegant Baltic city.

What's Riga Like?

Much of Riga's medieval center has been rebuilt after war damage. The huge 13th-century cathedral and St Peter's church dominate the old town, but much of the charm comes from the pretty period houses and shops with colorful tiled roofs. A striking building in the heart of Riga is the imposing Blackheads guildhouse, built in 1344 and destroyed by the Soviets in 1948. It has been restored in every detail seven years later. The Museum of Occupation offers stark and illuminating exhibitions tracing the Nazi and Soviet eras. Riga retains the largest number of 1920s Art Nouveau buildings and apartments in Europe, with over 750 examples lining broad, elegant avenues. After admiring the exteriors, visitors can inspect an authentic period interior in the Art Nouveau museum on Alberta iela. Warm in summer, Riga can be very cold in the midst of a Baltic winter. Comfortable Riga hotels allow visitors to uncover the hidden treasures in this unique city.

Tips for Getting Along with Locals in Riga

Latvians have a reputation for reticence but are very welcoming to tourists. Hockey is a local passion and any chat about the sport usually breaks the ice in bars or cafes. The traditional Riga liqueur is black balsam, an acquired taste but locals recommend it as a cold remedy. The upscale 19th-century mall Berga Bazars offers gourmet treats, but for inexpensive foodstuffs join locals in shopping at the massive central market housed in former Zeppelin hangars, where it's possible to browse the best produce from the Baltic region.The Hotels.com site uses certified reviews from previous guests to give travelers an informed idea of what to expect from their Riga hotels. With details of sample rooms, photos and maps locating the main sights and travel hubs, the Hotels.com site offers all the information to help visitors identify the ideal option for their Riga stay.